Intimate partner violence as a risk factor for postpartum depression among Canadian women in the Maternity Experience Survey

Abstract

Purpose: Intimate partner violence is a worldwide public health concern that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of exposure to intimate partner violence before, during, or after pregnancy on postpartum depression in a nationally representative sample of Canadian women.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed with the use of data from the Maternity Experience Survey conducted by Statistics Canada in 2006. A population-based sample of 8542 women 15 years and older who delivered singleton live births was selected from all Canadian provinces and territories; of those, 6421 completed a computer-assisted telephone interview. Recent experiences with and threats of physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner were examined in relation to postpartum depression assessed through the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale.

Results: The prevalence of postpartum depression was 7.5% (95% confidence interval, 6.8-8.2). Controlling for confounders, odds of postpartum depression were significantly greater among women who reported partner violence in the past two years as opposed to those who did not (adjusted odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.45).

Conclusions: Intimate partner violence is positively associated with postpartum depression among Canadian women. Implications for healthcare practice are discussed.